Description
Rwanda gorilla trek and Lake Kivu Holiday, 6 Days – Detailed Itinerary
Day one: Rwanda gorilla trek and Lake Kivu safari starts with arrival at the Kigali International airport. The Travelust African Safaris representative will meet you on arrival with a placard with your names. Transfer on a short distance through the greenery of Kigali’s streets to your Hotel for check in. Your guide conducts a briefing on the Rwanda gorilla trek and Lake Kivu trip before finalizing the next day departure. Overnight at the Kigali Serena Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day Two: The morning after breakfast, you will check out of your overnight accommodations in Kigali. Start the morning excursion of the Kigali City to explore the craft shops with local Rwandan artifacts. Later, you get to visit the genocide memorial monument in Kigali enroute to the Volcanoes. If possible, see remains of the Rwanda genocide victims and listen to lectures by the survivors.
Mountain gorilla base near Kinigi
Later, the mid morning departure for the Mountain gorilla sanctuary of the Volcanoes park begins with a lovely drive. Head into the mountains towards Musanze and along the way, request your guide to stop for the occasional photo opportunities. Enjoy the panorama and later, proceed to Kinigi arriving in time for lunch at the gorilla lodge. Spend the afternoon at the lodge acclimatizing for the next day’s gorilla trekking exercise in this high altitude location. Later, have dinner and retire to your overnight accommodations for overnight at the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge. Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Three: Gorilla trekking
Breakfast early at the lodge restaurant and drive a short distance to the gorilla park offices to start the briefing exercise. The Tourism wardens will be conducting an education lecture on how to conduct yourself while with the Mountain gorillas in the park. In the meantime, the traditional Intore dancers will be providing the cultural entertainment at the slopes of the virunga ranges.
The gorilla groups are assigned on site, before all the trekking groups are allocated their favorite trekking options and then, the actual gorilla trek begins. The walk in the forests to find the family of the feeding apes takes an average of about 2 hours and the viewing will also take an hour. Later, you will return to the lodge to freshen up and have a late lunch before having the evening at leisure to move around. Or simply relax at the bar area, enjoying the vistas of the area. Dinner and overnight at the Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Four: Transfer to Lake Kivu for relaxing
Breakfast at the lodge, then have a leisurely morning check out of your Hotel. Transfer through the Mountain areas and proceed to the shores of Lake Kivu through a section of traditional farmlands tended to by the colorful Rwandans. The entire afternoon is spent relaxing by the Beach at the Hotel as you recover from the arduous gorilla trekking experience. Meals and overnight at the Lake Kivu Serena Lodge on the shores of a Crater Lake at Gisenyi. Meal plan – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Five: Rwanda gorilla trek trip in the volcanoes
The morning after breakfast can be spent exploring the tropical gardens with exotic flowers that form an expansive tropical array of manicured lawns and walkways. You could alternatively, just take off your shoes and have the day enjoying the sandy beach of Lake Kivu. The Resort spa which features the famous Maisha treatments of facials, pedicures, massage and the swimming pool would take care of the other part of the day while at your Hotel. Should you wish, with the guidance of your driver guide, you may also pay a visit to the Rosamond Carr’s orphanage of the genocide victims. Meals and overnight at the Lake Kivu Serena.
Day Six: After breakfast, check out of your overnight lodge in the Gisenyi area then have a scenic drive back to Kigali. Your guide will transfer to the airport for the evening departure flight either to a connecting safari in East Africa or for the home bound flight through Europe or South Africa.
Price available on request, based on affordable, mid range or luxurious accommodations and number of travelers.
Price for the Rwanda gorilla trek and Lake Kivu safari Includes:
- Airport transfers.
- Accommodations in safari Lodges or Affordable guest Houses.
- Park entrance fees into the National parks
- Optional sightseeing to the genocide memorial
- 1 Rwanda Gorilla trek permit
- services of a gorilla trekking guide.
- Mountain gorilla trackers and support staff.
- A Rwanda gorilla trip certificate.
- Private 4×4 custom built safari vehicle during the trek.
